Why did John the Baptist require the baptism of repentance to show saving faith in the King and the Kingdom?
John required baptism of repentance because saving faith in the King and Kingdom had to be visibly expressed; the two could not be separated. As Jews repented of their failure under the Law, they prepared their hearts and minds for the King and His Kingdom.
Les explains that John the Baptist maintained that if they were going to show saving faith in the fact that the King and the Kingdom is here, they would have to show that with the baptism of repentance. That is why it is always called the baptism of repentance: the two could not be separated. As these Jews were repenting of their failure of the system of Law and everything else, they were now preparing their hearts and minds for the King and His Kingdom. Les then raises the question, “Why baptism?” and notes that it throws a curve at almost everybody, before pointing back to remembering who we are dealing with.